By Olatunde Akinade
The devastating impact of poor safety management in Nigeria and across many developing nations has once again been brought into focus. From collapsed buildings and market infernos to pipeline explosions and workplace fatalities, the consequences of neglecting safety continue to claim lives, destroy infrastructure, and weaken our economy.
According to Olatunde Akinade, a QHSE professional and industry voice on workplace and public safety, “Safety is not expensive neglect is.”
The true meaning of safety
Safety is more than hard hats, fire-resistant clothing, or warning signs. It is a structured system designed to protect people, processes, equipment, and the environment. For any organization—be it government, private industry, or public sector—safety translates into:
- Efficiency in Production: Workers perform better in safe, secure environments.
- Public Safety: Preventing accidents that can harm surrounding communities.
- Safeguarding Infrastructure: Prolonging the life of facilities and investments.
- Productivity & Cost Savings: Reducing downtime, medical costs, legal liabilities, and compensation.
- Customer Trust: Enhancing reputation through safe, quality operations.etc
The high cost of neglect
Nigeria has witnessed numerous tragedies that could have been prevented through proactive safety management. Fire outbreaks have destroyed entire markets due to non-functional hydrants and absent extinguishers. Building collapses have been traced to weak regulatory enforcement and poor construction oversight. Each incident carries a high price billions of naira in losses, unemployment, broken families, and irreplaceable lives cut short.
Nigeria has witnessed countless tragedies that point directly to poor or neglected safety management. Beyond the immediate damage, these incidents bring about economic, social, and emotional costs that linger for years.e.g
1. Fire outbreaks in markets
- Scenario: In 2020, a fire outbreak at the Ochanja Market in Onitsha, Anambra State destroyed goods worth over ₦10 billion within a single night. Eyewitnesses reported that fire trucks could not access the market due to poor road planning, and fire hydrants were either non-functional or absent.
- Impact:
- Hundreds of traders lost their entire livelihood overnight.
- Families dependent on these traders were plunged into poverty.
- Insurance coverage was almost non-existent, meaning victims had no compensation.
This highlights how neglecting basic fire prevention systems such as hydrants, extinguishers, and market fire plans can devastate local economies.
2. Building collapses
- Scenario: In November 2021, the collapse of the 21-storey building in Ikoyi, Lagos led to the death of over 40 people, including young professionals. Investigations revealed that the building did not comply with approved structural standards, and there was weak regulatory oversight.
- Impact:
- Direct human tragedy: loss of breadwinners, parents, and children.
- Financial loss running into billions of naira—investors, tenants, and government revenue all wiped out.
- Loss of public trust in construction safety.
Similar collapses in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt show a recurring trend of cutting corners and regulatory failures.
3. Industrial explosions & fuel depot fires
- Scenario: In January 2022, a fuel tanker explosion in Onitsha killed at least 10 people, destroyed 50 shops and dozens of vehicles. Poor road safety, inadequate emergency response, and disregard for tanker maintenance standards all contributed.
- Impact:
- Loss of lives and properties worth over ₦1 billion.
- Significant disruption to business activities.
- Rising insurance premiums and fear among nearby communities.
In Lagos alone, the Lagos State Fire Service reported 119 fire incidents in December 2022, many caused by neglect of basic safety measures.
4. Workplace safety failures
- Scenario: In the oil and gas industry, pipeline explosions are frequent. In 2019, a pipeline explosion in Abule Ado, Lagos, killed over 20 people and destroyed hundreds of homes. Reports showed poor pipeline monitoring and encroachment on right-of-way.
- Impact:
- Displacement of families and children from schools.
- Estimated property loss of ₦2 billion.
- Loss of revenue to government and oil companies due to disruption of supply.
Summing up the cost
- Lives lost annually: Over 1,000 Nigerians die from preventable fires, collapses, and explosions each year (National Emergency Management Agency estimate).
- Financial losses: Nigeria records hundreds of billions of naira in property and business losses annually due to safety neglect.
- Social consequences: Broken families, unemployment, trauma, and reduced investor confidence in infrastructure safety.
Bottom Line: The cost of neglecting safety is far greater than the cost of proactive safety investment. Fire hydrants, routine building inspections, workplace safety drills, and regulatory enforcement are cheaper than rebuilding cities and burying loved ones.
“Every disaster we fail to prevent is a tragedy we chose to allow,” Akinade emphasizes.
The way forward: Safety as a national investment
To reverse this trend, both government and private sector players must urgently treat safety as an investment, not a liability. Key strategies include:
- Establishing Safety Management Systems (SMS) with clear policies and accountability.
- Regular safety training and awareness for staff and contractors.
- Comprehensive fire safety programs including detection systems, hydrants, alarms, and drills.
- Strict compliance with engineering and building standards.
- Frequent safety inspections and independent audits.
- Robust emergency preparedness plans with evacuation routes and rescue equipment.
- Strong contractor safety management requirements.
- Regulatory enforcement without compromise.
- Community awareness programs for industries operating near residential areas.
- Visible leadership involvement from CEOs, directors, and government heads. etc
Leadership is the backbone
Safety culture begins at the top. Without active commitment from leadership, policies remain paper statements. Leaders must approve safety budgets, attend safety briefings, and hold all stakeholders accountable.
Conclusion
Safety is not a cost it is a factor of production and a foundation for sustainable development. Neglecting it leads to avoidable tragedies, economic losses, and broken trust. Prioritizing it ensures growth, stability, and national dignity.
As Olatunde Akinade concludes:
“If you think safety is expensive, try neglect. The price is always heavier.”